Slovenia international Erazem Lorbek will spend at least two more seasons in Europe before moving to the NBA after signing with Spanish champions Unicaja Malaga.
Lorbek, a key member of Climamio Bologna's title winning side in Italy two years ago, helped the Lega A giants reach the domestic play-offs finals in June where they lost to Benetton Treviso.
The young center had been weighing up a move to the Indiana Pacers, the club that owns his draft rights.
His arrival in Malaga will soften the blow of Jorge Garbajosa's departure to the Toronto Raptors.
"I am really happy to sign for Unicaja because it is a great club and they have had good results in the past few years," said Lorbek.
"For me, it's really hard to leave a team like Bologna but to arrive to Unicaja makes the move easier.
"I am also really happy to work under a coach like Sergio Scariolo."
The 22-year-old is the second Slovenian international to join a leading Spanish club this summer after Jaka Lakovic's decision to leave Panathinaikos for Winterthur Barcelona.
Lorbek is currently with his national team preparing for their first appearance at the FIBA World Championship next month.
Slovenia are in Group D, along with the United States, Italy, Puerto Rico, China and Senegal.

